You smell it, but you prefer to remain in denial. We understand. Attempting to get the unrelenting odor out of the drains in your home is not as easy as it seems. We strongly suggest that you DO NOT EVER place hands, fingers, or arms in the drain. Do not use hangers, sticks, rods, nor any other object of plumbing fix fiction in any of the drains. If it breaks off or there is something already lodged, the situation goes from level 4 to level 10 quickly.
If you have the average home, you probably have a garbage disposal. You may have once read lemon peel, ice cubes, or coffee grinds will get rid of the smell, but that is just a temporary fix. And by temporary, we mean minutes or hours. The smell moves faster than a cheetah. This, too, is an appliance that should NEVER be cleared with fingers, hands, nor arms. Most homes also have dishwasher, and they are notorious for bad smells. Not rinsing the dishes thoroughly is a major cause, but just general build-up over time causes odors. If it is not authorized to go into the dishwasher according to the manufacturer’s instructions, do not put it in to clean it as the wrong substance can actually destroy the dishwasher.
All the drains for sinks and tubs seem as though they are just calling for something long and sturdy looking to go down the drain! Those are methods just asking for some plumbing trouble. Particularly tempting is the desire to fix the shower. It is a wide drain and seems like an easy fix. There is a water level in the drain which is necessary for the proper function of the drain. Trying to diagnose the cause of the smell is best left to the professionals. The time you waste and the risks you take are not worth the effort and trouble.
Most people would think that it is a waste of money to call a plumber for such a small job, but the truth is, it is much safer to pay the nominal charge to have a professional seek out the source of the smell and deal with it effectively. When it comes to operation and maintenance of the major function of your home, consult your professional plumber. It is the wisest of investments.
